I see a lot of sentiment for “Empowering Ourselves…” But if we could really empower ourselves, wouldn't we be a lot less stuck in our problems?
We can walk with others in the kindness of a Christian relationship while asking them to lay down what they carry that is holding them down and holding them back... (I was hoping that's what a Prophet and a real Christian friend does...) the only difference is that (The Father by sending Christ and through Christ's work, and then Christ sending The Holy Spirit and through the Holy Spirit's work in our lives,) The Holy Spirit empowers us to lay our burdens down - I no longer think WE can empower each other to lay our burdens down... perhaps that's where I've gone wrong in my ministry to others: I can see many people's flaws, but I don't know how to ask them to lay them down/give them up effectively - with grace or permanence - and I can't seem to empower them to do so.
Sorry to all of you for that. I know I must come across as a know-it-all, or some kind of oppressor or self-righteous person, but I, like God, want what's best for you. Perhaps The Spirit only has this power - this ability - of empowerment that He shares, or gives us, or instills, or installs in us. Perhaps only The Spirit truly knows what's best for a person. And any change that happens in a person should remain between them and God. (That's why God just wants us to live in peace with one another, loving, speaking His Truth from scripture, forgiving, and encouraging one another, being sparing on the correction, I suppose.)
I have recently been able to let God (Who we believe really knows what's best for us - whereas I can only have a good idea for what could be best), work in others' lives without any promptings from me except for my secret prayers for them. But it's always our choice to surrender and submit to God's authority, voice, and workings in our lives that make those changes. Without our surrender to let God be our authority in everything, change will be slow to take hold in our lives (if change happens at all). Let's let God - Who we believe really knows us and loves us dearly - empower us to lay down what's holding us back while we simply wait and pray for the Spirit to work in all our lives. Be open to The Spirit's work in your life by soaking in His love for you.
I think it would be so much simpler, faster, and more practical for people to just listen to what I see and then do it, but I... I could be wrong... The Spirit never is. Listen to Him immediately, and immediately do what He suggests/tells/commands.
It will be harder at first, but you will be following God's will, and you will have a better life because of it - here, and in the life to come. Listening to God has led me to be born again, to wisdom, to peace, to financial gain, to better relationships, and more dependence on The Father (which is what God wants and knows is best for us anyway).
Knowledge is Power. Knowledge is empowering. The Holy Spirit IS Knowledge. The Holy Spirit is empowering. We empower ourselves when we let The Spirit make the decisions for us at all levels of our lives.
Go back to God and let Him do His works in His Ways. Just love people by forgiving them and praying for them. God will change their hearts and lives - IF they are willing. You just choose God, and you will be saved - and not just from hell - and the rest of your days will be so much better than what they were when you let The Spirit empower you.